As we navigate an era of rapid change, the need for strong, resilient communities has never been greater.

The message was clear at the SPA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) – community investment is not just an opportunity, it’s a responsibility. 

A responsibility to empower local people, address long-standing issues, and build a future where everyone has the chance to thrive in times where budgets are becoming increasingly restricted and community facilities are at risk of decimation. 

Close to 40 delegates attended our AGM, and the theme of the event – ‘The Power of Community Investment’ – struck a chord with everyone in the room. 

The discussions and presentations we heard served as a reminder of why grassroots engagement and well-placed funding can have transformative effects and why communities must be at the heart of all we do. 

The stories that emerged from our speakers, each an expert in community development, confirmed what we already know: investing in people and places at a local level produces results that ripple far beyond the immediate community.

For seven years now, SPA’s Community Benefit Fund (CBF) has been providing much-needed financial support to communities across Scotland. 

This crucial investment has driven community growth expediting regeneration activities, enabling community integration and kick-starting community aspirations.   

One point we must all keep in mind is that effective community projects go far beyond funding. To be truly effective, the community must play a central role in decisions, as without their input, project goals and aspirations can never be realised to their full extent. 

The SPA Community Benefit Fund, managed by Lintel Trust, has distributed vital financial support to communities across Scotland, supporting social housing projects with real community impact. 

Since 2017, the fund has distributed over £910,000, supporting 103 projects that tackle food poverty, improve social inclusion and mental health, provide access to digital equipment and training, and create employment opportunities.

In 2023/24, we allocated £130,000 to diverse initiatives, directly impacting lives and strengthening communities like the continuation of support for Possilpark, enabling dignified food access, family wellbeing activities and tenancy hardship funds. 

So far in 2024/25, we’ve awarded £90,000, with the total expected to reach £130,000 by the end of the current financial year, which will all go towards delivering meaningful change in communities. 

Crucially, Lintel Trust goes beyond all this funding to help communities source match funding, offer specialist advice on projects, guide community engagement, monitoring and measuring KPIs while also ensuring long-term benefits are realised. 

This support and funding were brought to life through invaluable stories told at our AGM. David Allan, Deputy Director of the Scottish Community Development Centre work on Community-Led Action Research highlights how critical it is for residents to have a voice in the decision-making process.

By empowering communities to direct how funds are used – through mechanisms like participatory budgeting – we’re seeing a much deeper level of engagement and more effective outcomes.

One of the most inspiring moments of the AGM came from Maria Throp of 1st Step Development Ventures. 

Maria shared the story of Steven and many others whose lives have been transformed through the charity’s addiction recovery services. With support from the CBF, 1st Step has been able to expand its team, allowing them to reach even more individuals in need. 

Our presenters also underscored the importance of innovative approaches to community investment. Shona Snow, Director of Product Innovation at LHC, illustrated how SPA’s procurement solutions are always created with the community in mind.

Her presentation on a Berlin housing project demonstrated that even in areas facing severe social deprivation, thoughtful, community-centred development can make a tangible difference. 

The impact of community investment doesn’t just stop with the individual projects. It creates a ripple effect, fostering stronger social connections, building trust, and instilling a sense of ownership and pride within communities.

I believe that every public sector organisation has a responsibility to deliver more than just services – they must also deliver value to the communities they serve. 

The future of Scotland’s communities lies in our collective hands. By continuing to prioritise community investment, we can address the inequalities and challenges faced by so many across the country. 

The achievements of the past seven years have been a testament to what’s possible when we work together, and I firmly believe that the best is yet to come.

• Lesley Anderson is the regional director of the Scottish Procurement Alliance. For more information about SPA and the Community Benefit Fund, visit www.scottishprocurement.scot.